Wesley Corpus

Allow she is in the wrong; yet, while you break her rule, how do you act as her Minister?” It ought to be expressed, “How are you her Minister?” for the conclusion to be proved is, that I am not her Minister. I answer, (1.) I am not convinced, as I observed before, that I do hereby break her rule. (2.) If I did, yet should I not cease to be her Minister, unless I were formally deprived. (3.) I now actually do continue in her communion, and hope that I always shall. 4. You object farther, that I “disobey the governors of the Church.” I answer, I both do, and will, obey them in all things, where I do not apprehend there is some particular law of God to the contrary. “Here,” you say, “you confess that in some things you do not, and cannot obey your governors.” (Page 8.) Did I confess this? Then I spoke rashly and foolishly; for I granted more than I can make good. I do certainly apprehend that the law of God requires me, both to preach, and, some times, to pray extempore. Yet I do not know that I disobey the governors of the Church herein: For I do not know that they have forbidden me to do either. But your “behaviour and method of teaching is irregular. Have you any warrant from Scripture for preaching” up and down thus? I think I have; I think God hath called me to this work “by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery,” which directs me how to obey that general command, “While we have time, let us do good unto all men.” “But we ought to do this agreeably to our respective situa tions, and not break in upon each other's provinces. Every private man may take upon himself the office of a Magistrate FARTHER EXPLAINED. 439an and quote this text as justly as you have done.” (Page 9.) No; the private man is not called to the office of a Magistrate; but I am to the office of a Preacher. “You was, indeed, authorized to preach the gospel; but it was in the congregation to which you should be lawfully appointed.